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PWYC History
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Club History
The Port Washington Yacht Club was founded in the Spring of 1905 as "The Port Washington Club." The first real meeting, at which nineteen charter members were present, took place on April 26, 1905. At that time it was arranged to rent an old shack as a clubhouse located on the waterfront at what is now the north end of Bayview Colony. There were substantial grounds around the shack, and house and grounds rented for $600 for the first year, with $100 of the $600 being rebated to the club to pay for repairs to the shack. The initial by-laws provided for an initiation fee of $10, and dues of $20 per year. The by-laws also provided for no spiritous or malt liquors being sold by or for the club. The purpose of the club was stated as being to encourage social and athletic activities for people of the Port Washington peninsula.
The actual opening day of the club was on May 27, 1905. At the first annual meeting it was reported that tennis was the best sport. One yacht race was held. It was reported to have been unsuccessful because the yachts entered consisted of one schooner, two yawls, five sloops, six catboats, and six power launches. Other well-patronized activities were water sports, swimming, diving, and skeet shooting.
Bonds were sold, the building of the original clubhouse was started, and the membership grew to about 150. In 1910 the club changed its name to the Port Washington Yacht Club and designated the officers as Commodore and Vice-Commodore instead of President and Vice-President.
Class Boats Developed
In 1907 the first boat called "The Bug," a 17 foot boat, was designed and built by William Gardner. It was a centerboarder carrying sandbags for ballast, but it was still very unstable and capsized easily.
In 1911 and 1912 Commodore "Pop" Corey went to William Gardner, a noted naval architect, to ask him to improve the Bug. This resulted in the design of the Star Class boat by one Sweisguth. This was to be the poor man's yacht. Twenty-two were built by the Smith Boatyard for $265.00 per boat, less sails. These boats were owned by members of the various clubs in the bay, but many of the races were run from the Port Washington Yacht Club.
In those days there was a flagpole with a crow's nest upon it at the end of the club pier and the Race Committee operated from the crow's nest. Subsequently Adrian Iselin of the Port Washington Yacht Club started racing Star Boats with Ed Willis for crew, and they won the World's Championship in 1925, and again in 1936.
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PWYC Original Club House
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